From our perspective, the most critical winter threat is not just the cold, but the combination of cold and wet. Our roots, which are fine and relatively shallow, are highly susceptible to rot in cold, waterlogged soil. We implore you to plant us in the most well-draining location possible—a sloping bed or a raised mound is ideal. Furthermore, a position that shields us from harsh, desiccating winds is paramount. A south-facing wall (in the Northern Hemisphere) that absorbs daytime heat or a spot protected by other hardy evergreens can create a microclimate several degrees warmer than the surrounding area, making a significant difference to our survival.
Our relationship with water changes dramatically as the temperatures drop. While we are drought-tolerant in the growing season, winter demands a "less is more" approach. Please, withhold the fertilizer in late summer and autumn; any encouragement of tender new growth will make us far more vulnerable to frost damage. Most importantly, you must let our soil dry out considerably between waterings. Water us only on days when the temperature is above freezing and do so in the morning so any excess moisture on our foliage or in the soil has time to evaporate before the deep cold of night. Soggy, cold roots are a death sentence for us.
You can think of a thick layer of mulch as our winter duvet. However, its primary purpose is not to warm our roots, but to maintain a consistent soil temperature and, crucially, to keep our root zone dry by preventing rain and meltwater from compacting the soil around our crown. Apply a generous 3-4 inch layer of a loose, airy mulch like pine bark, straw, or shredded leaves around our base. Please ensure the mulch is not piled directly against our main stem, as this can encourage rot. This layer acts as a fantastic insulator, protecting our vital root system from rapid freeze-thaw cycles that can heave us out of the ground.
We are resilient, and a light frost will often just crisp our most tender tips, which we can recover from in spring. However, for a severe, hard freeze forecast (typically below -5°C or 23°F for more than a few hours), we may need your direct intervention. For smaller, younger specimens of our kind, the most effective protection is a physical barrier. Please erect a simple frame around us and drape it with breathable horticultural fleece or a frost cloth, ensuring it extends to the ground to trap the heat radiating from the earth. Avoid using plastic sheeting, as it does not breathe and can cause more damage by creating a humid, frozen environment. For our larger, established family members, focusing protection on our base with mulch is the best strategy.
